It's good to see Buddhism beating even Soviet megalomania and nationalism into second place, but there is part of me that feels uneasy with this. It's a long way from Ajahn Chah saying that one's practice should emulate the humility of an earthworm...

Beautiful statues. Interesting that most are Buddhist (Guan-yin or Buddha or Amitabha); not many super-large statues of Jesus apparently. Buildings and statues are an interest of mine. I like the architecture and art and if it inspires some to practice, it can be good. However, certainly a large structure for meditating would be more efficient use of funds, for example, Goenka-ji's large Global Vipassana Pagoda which can hold some 8,000 meditators.

reflection wrote:This is funny considering the Buddha is supposed to have said to not make images of him, didn't he?

I think that is a common misconception. I don't think the Buddha ever said that. The first representations of the Buddha-Dhamma were footprints or the Dhamma Wheel, but not due to any rule.

The closest thing and maybe the cause of the misconception is one story where a monk admired the Buddha so much and just liked watching him. The Buddha advised him to admire the Dhamma (or something like that) and to show admiration by practicing.